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Gallbladder is gone so where is this pain from?

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happyalien
happyalien

HI

Had the dreaded gallbladder removed last June after only 7 months of pain (so I'm pretty lucky).

Everything went well, home the same day - took a good 4 weeks to feel totally better after the op but eating was ok and I don't seem to be affected by bowel issues like some people.

Only problem is I have dull ache in exactly the same place I used to get the gallbladder pain. It's not intense pain but it's in the front RUQ under my ribs and moves round the side and to my back.

It doesn't seem to appear after anything in particular and most of the time it's there constantly. Suppose it's more of an annoyance than anything else because I'm always aware of this ache. I'm quite reluctant to go to my GP because after spending about 7 months constantly in the surgery last year updating painkillers and nausea pills I don't want them to think I'm addicted to medical attention.

Just wondered if anyone had anything similar or if it's just a by-product of surgery that I'll have to get on with?

Thanks

34 likes, 1357 replies

1357 Replies

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  • terry47747
    terry47747 happyalien

    Posted

    Hi, I had mY GB out about 7 weeks ago and i have lost weight as I am scared to eat as I got so sick. it is getting a little better but they say eat fat free i can not. but i am 

    not hungry. where you wrote only problem I have is dull ache all the way to medical attention I could of wrote as that is exactly what i am going through. 

     

  • terry47747
    terry47747 happyalien

    Posted

    Hi, I had mY GB out about 7 weeks ago and i have lost weight as I am scared to eat as I got so sick. it is getting a little better but they say eat fat free i can not. but i am 

    not hungry. where you wrote only problem I have is dull ache all the way to medical attention I could of wrote as that is exactly what i am going through. 

    ​

  • brenda50140914
    brenda50140914 happyalien

    Posted

    Hi,

    I'm guessing you are not alone. I've it's almost going to be a year for me since I've had my gallbladder removed. Before I felt the pain in the same area like a ghost pain but now I've felt it travel to the side and back area. I fear that it's my liver or kidney but I've recently had a CT scan and everything came out normal, even the blood tests. I even blame it to the hernia I have in my umbilical area. I noticed when changing my diet it is less but that is just sometimes. I hope and pray that it's nothing. Maybe they are just ghost pains. Hope you feel better soon. God bless.

    • brenda50140914
      brenda50140914

      Posted

      I forgot to mention when I eat fried foods is when I feel the pain more but when I eat healthy it's when I don't feel the pain. Maybe changing your eating habits is a way for the pain to go away. I understand it's hard but I think it would be worth it if you are pain free. I'm gonna try it for 3 months and will update you.

  • fiona98847
    fiona98847 happyalien

    Posted

    Hi I know this was a year ago but I get the exact same as you iv been to the doctors multiple times and there was once I went and got the endascopy and it made me throw up a lot of bile and it seems to me that this is where the pain is coming from, I didn't have any more pain after that for around 7momths and it's came back, now I'm thinking the bile has became too much again, now that we don't have anywhere to store bile it just constantly drops into our small intestine, some people don't get pain but most of us do x I'm not saying that this is what's wrong but it is an idea? I'm getting put back on omeprazol on wednesday and in 2 weeks if nothing's changed I will also need to get more blood tests and cameras

  • dwd
    dwd happyalien

    Posted

    Hello !

    I had my gaul bladder removed because of a false positive on a cat sacn thought to be a thickening of the wall or a polyp ! Lab reports nothing onlly a little slush that should have been flushed out . It was found during a cat scan for diverticuloses. In any case I have had the same type of pain that seems to get worse then subside. I had a cat sacn today to try to see what is happening. I hope that there was not a problem with the removal proceedure that has caused complication of some kind. It is not sore to the touch or prob but is more pronounced when bending or moving putting internal pressure in the area. I took some anti acid tablets that seem to have hepled . We will see tomorrow when I see th eresulting reading. I can attest to the fact that the scans are NOT always proof positive !

  • louise60437
    louise60437 happyalien

    Posted

    Hi everyone. I had my gall bladder out over 8 yrs ago. Yesterday I was rushed into hospital, with the gall bladder pain. Scan done , bloods done, all came back normal. The pain was so bad yesterday I could breath, I was in a ball on the floor. I've been sent home with codine, but I know these won't touch the pain if it starts. I don't know what brought it on yesterday, I scared to eat anything, scared to go out incase it happens again, as it comes on so quick. Anyone had any answers x

    • judy13495
      judy13495 louise60437

      Posted

      Hi Louise.   I have gone through the same as you and learned from an acupuncturist in December that they leave the tube that was connected to your gallbladder INSIDE you when they do the surgery...maybe it can't be removed.   Anyway, in discussing with my PCP, she told me she treats this all the time.   She prescribed Cholestyramine for Oral Suspension USP, which is a powder you mix in water and drink 2 or 3 times a day.   It is a God-send to learn this.   Takes about a week to calm your pain down but well worth the cost...it is a prescription and is covered on most plans.   Even if it weren't it would be worth it.   Good luck.

  • lisa48688
    lisa48688 happyalien

    Posted

    Hi My name is Lisa and I had my gallbladder our 16 years ago and was plaqued with bile duct spasms that would put me into the hospital..  I was finally given bentyl and zocor for the vomiting and nausea.  Moved to Montana and started seeing a GI specialist up here and within 15 seconds he know what it was..

    It is caused by acculted nerves from the surgery and there is a treatment for this I have have 2 of the treatments and NO NAUSEA, NO SPASMS!!!

    What he does is deadeneds my incision from the surgery and then injects kenolog (steroid) in to the incision also.  It worked immediate relief.  It is not a cure but is somethink can be done to alleviate the pain, nausea, and the vomiting.

    Ask you Doctor about and let me know if it works for you..

    Lisa Munoz

    • gabby15824
      gabby15824 lisa48688

      Posted

      This is what I am having done. Makes the most sense, and a good place to start.
  • becky82166
    becky82166 happyalien

    Posted

    Hi I'm wondering if you have found out anything about your pain/

     

  • gabby15824
    gabby15824 happyalien

    Posted

    Yes! I had a cholecystectomy done 10 months ago and still have cramping/dull pains in the same RUQ region prior to surgery. Not ONLY that, but I now have pain in both sides of my rib cage. I have seen GI doctor. I had an endoscopy done (negative, just dx with increased stomach acid w/o drainage), and went to a pain doctor. I work for a doctor also. NO ANSWERS. The pain doctor wants to try an injection to see if I respond. He thinks some nerves may have been irritated with the procedure. It is worth a shot! Good luck to you. I hope you continue to heal. Also, keep in mind, there could have been another underlying GI issue. If I do not obtain relief with this injection, I will be returning to GI specialist. Could be an intestinal issue that they did not see. My surgery was done laproscopically - an open cholecystectomy would have shown if there were any obstructions, adhesions, or even another issue (endometriosis was one I was considering).

    Fingers Crossed for pleasant recovery. 

  • georgette01137
    georgette01137 happyalien

    Posted

    Hi, the last week I have an ache feels like it's inside my rib cage.. It's extremely annoying. I have myself so worried I've all sorts, I'm waiting to go see doctor. It's just y description sounds very similar. It seems to travel to the front a little. Really hard to explain feels inflamed.. Is that what you had?

    • dori77066
      dori77066 georgette01137

      Posted

      So far the endoscopy showed chronic gastritis & it's very painful. The pain feels like someone is squeezing my stomach & pinching it. I also have pain on my right side under the ribs. I don't know if that's something else yet, awaiting follow up with my doctor to get results of biopsies. Had my gallbladder removed in October & have had this pain ever since then. Everything I eat or drink makes my stomach hurt so I have lost 25 pounds. Plus I do not have an appetite.

    • stef1950
      stef1950 georgette01137

      Posted

      Hi, I had my gallbladder removed in January (after waiting over 2 years for the op!) I expected a bit of discomfort for a few days - followed by zero pain. I have been  in SO much pain ever since. A tight feeling under the right ribs - which feels like a having a lump of concrete there! This pain travels to side and to the back. .i goes from uncomfortable to unbearable. I also have a pain under the sternum ( where one of the ports was) ths is so painful. I was told this is caused by the cocodamol I was given. As for the other pain- my GP said he coudn't feel anything wrong, and I had a "ghost " pain, otherwise known as P.C.S.-post cholecystectomy syndrome. As I write this I am in agony.  I am stunned by the number of people suffering as we all are

    • RaetooHaru
      RaetooHaru dori77066

      Posted

      When you see your GI doc again, ask them if gastroparesis could be your issue. Your stomach could possibly not be emptying as it should and causing the pain and lack of appetite. A doctor put me on a med called Reglan that greatly helps with this. Good Luck!
    • dori77066
      dori77066 RaetooHaru

      Posted

      Thanks I will ask about this, went to a nutritionist today to try and help me with my weight because if no appetite or craving to eat. I found out food has no flavor to me either. See my doctor Tomorrow. Spoke with my gastroenterologist today she's putting me on norpramin, it's suppose to help with nerve pain in my stomach. The pain that I feel as though my stomach is being squeezed or pain above my belly button. Hope it helps or lessens my discomfort.

    • zcip1991
      zcip1991 stef1950

      Posted

      Everything you said I am experiencing. My pain began a year after my cholecystectomy. It's been 4 years now, and 3 years full of pain. My pain seems to be worse when I lift heavy objects, or mainly my e year old. It's a pulsating feeling. The pain is mainly right under my sternum and goes to my back. Sometimes it kind of takes my breath away...it sucks. I was told by the surgeon who removed my gallbladder to seek a pain specialist for help...

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